Kelly Dodd and Rick Leventhal are shrugging off the controversy they received after they were slammed for Rick’s tasteless Halloween costume – dressing up as Alec Baldwin on the set of Rust.
Meanwhile, the Real Housewives of Orange County star Kelly had ‘celebrated her Native American heritage’ with a war bonnet headband. Both posed with toy guns sparking intense outrage.
However, the couple put on a happy display as they set sail on boat trip in California on Tuesday, seemingly unbothered by having got themselves into hot water.
What drama? Kelly Dodd and Rick Leventhal shrug off getting in hot water over Alec Baldwin costume as they enjoy a boat trip in California on Tuesday
The pair were seen smiling and hugging before enjoying an ocean excursion just days after Rick ended up deleting the offending post ‘out of respect’ for cinematographer Halyna Hutchins family.
Leventhal, 61, posed in a Western outfit with a gun in his hand, while Dodd, 46, wore a feathered headdress. He captioned the post: ‘Kelly celebrated her native American culture and I celebrated the great American film actor Alec Baldwin.’
Despite many of Leventhal’s followers being accustomed to his controversial antics, the decision to make light of the fatal shooting of Halyna Hutchins by Baldwin on the set of a Rust last month was a step too far.
Tasteless: Leventhal came under fire for photos he shared of his Halloween costume this week dressed as Alec Baldwin on the set of Rust, seemingly making light of the fatal shooting of Halyna Hutchins by Baldwin last month
In hot water: Rick and Kelly shrug it all off for a boat trip together
Sail away: Kelly and Rick enjoy a day out with their friends
Walking the plank: The reality stars have recently been roasted on social media over their tasteless costume
The former Fox News correspondent told Page Six : ‘People twisted our outfits and intent in ways neither of us could’ve imagined and filled our page with hate.’
He continued: ‘We took the post down out of respect for the victims’ families and only hope the cancel culture won’t cancel Halloween next.’
Despite what he told the outlet, Rick seemed to be looking for a reaction as he captioned the initial photo saying: ‘Kelly celebrated her native American culture and I celebrated the great American film actor Alec Baldwin.’
Get up: The Real Housewives of Orange County star Kelly had ‘celebrated her Native American heritage’ with a war bonnet headband this Halloween
Stepping out: The reality star looked a world away from any backlash
Not treading carefully: The couple were certainly happy to take a big risk with their Halloween costumes this year
Helping hand: They were surrounded by pals for their fun day out
‘A child lost his mother,’ one commented, while another wrote: ‘On the very day that a young boy buries his mother, this is in poor taste.’
Mother-of-one Hutchins was buried in a private funeral in Santa Fe, New Mexico, on Friday after she was accidentally shot dead by Baldwin on October 21.
Before deleting the post Leventhal stood by his ensemble, telling The New York Post on Monday: ‘In no way was I trying to offend anyone, except Alec Baldwin. He’s a jerk and deserves all the heat he’s getting.’
After the storm: Leventhal made the post on Sunday, after which his comments section was quickly flooded with disdain for their costumes
Others were offended by his wife’s decision to wear a stereotypical Native American outfit. Dodd’s claims she is ’30 percent Native American.’
One follower wrote: ‘So talk about your heritage not mock it.. seriously? A costume? You can’t argue with stupid.’
Another said: ‘Yes the wardrobe of native Americans is beautiful but it’s not a costume n hopefully u will learn that.’
Leventhal made the post on Sunday, after which his comments section was quickly flooded with disdain for their costumes.
Carrying on regardless: The couple are getting on with their lives amid the drama
Choppy: Kelly is seen getting hands on and she pushes their boat away into the water
Tough: The RHOC star was putting the effort in as they left on their boat
‘Pathetic you have to attach Alec Baldwin to this,’ one follower wrote. ‘A horrific thing happened on set and you think Halloween is the time to display such disrespect.’
A follower called Elaine Rieger said: ‘Really insensitive, but no one is surprised. She will bring you down wait and see.’
Another commented: ‘I always defend you both, but hard to find dressing up as Alec funny when a young woman’s life was cut short and a young boy is now without his mum.’
Dodd – who has not spoken publicly yet about her costume – told E! News in January that she was ’30 percent Native American.’
In plain sight: The duo were pictured having fun with their friends
Out at sea: Kelly and Rick appeared to be with another couple
Family fun: The group set off for a boat trip around a marina in California
‘My point was I’m black, Asian, Mexican, Spanish, I’m 30 percent Native American and I’m one percent Jewish. And I’m all races. I don’t see people with color, I see people. That’s it,’ she said at the time.
‘I think the fashion is beautiful & this was a tribute & celebration,’ the fired Real Housewives of Orange County star, 46, captioned a slideshow of photos from the night.
Dodd has also faced backlash for her controversial opinions on COVID-19, as well as facing accusations of racism and homophobia.
In February, she was dropped from her partnership with Positive Beverages due to her ‘controversial views and opinions’ on coronavirus.
Not sorry: Although he deleted the picture, Rick has doubled down on his decision to dress as Alec Baldwin
Another Halloween party? Rick was seen walking past some decorations after his controversy
She first partnered with the brand in February 2019 and regularly promoted the sparkling beverage on her social media accounts and in episodes of RHOC.
Kelly also made headlines last April after saying on social media that she believed that the pandemic was ‘Gods way of thinning the herd’ as she argued with an Instagram user who called her out after taking a cross-country flight.
After a user wrote to Dodd, ‘If non-essential workers keep traveling back and forth like you, it will last longer,’ the reality star replied, ‘Do you know how many people died from the H1N1, the swine flu or SARS? It’s 25% get your facts straight you are only hearing numbers not the reality! It’s God’s way of thinning the herd!’
Hugs: Rick and Kelly embrace one another while posing with pumpkins
She subsequently apologized for the remarks and attempted to clarify her statement.
‘When I wrote that it’s ‘God’s way of thinning the herd,’ that’s not what I meant,’ Dodd said on Instagram Stories. ‘What I meant was, ‘Do these pandemics happen because it’s God’s way?’ I’m not God. I’m not insensitive.’
‘I feel bad for all the families that have lost loved ones, and I do think we should all stay at home and protect everybody. That’s not what I meant, and I want to apologize to anyone who got offended, OK? I’m sorry.’
She apologized again while appearing on Watch What Happens Live, saying of her past controversy: ‘It was insensitive and I apologize if I hurt or offended anybody.’